State Representative/Senator Sample Letter
(Teacher)
(Your address)
(Date)
The Honorable (full name)
State Capitol Building
Room (room number)
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Dear (Representative or Senator) _________________,
I am a teacher at _____________ (name of school) in your district. I am writing to ask for your support of the Fine Arts MAP, a part of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Missouri Assessment Program (MAP). The Fine Arts MAP is a cutting edge, technologically advanced assessment that sets our state apart from all others in authentically assessing the arts. We were the only state to have a fine arts test that was administered through a video.
Teachers like myself have prepared our students for the statewide assessment and would like to see it reinstated. We have participated in the development of items for the assessment, aligned our curriculum to the Show-Me Standards, and have included writing constructed responses in our classes—only to have the assessment delayed because of budget concerns.
I am aware of the difficult financial situation facing our state, however, I would hate to see the end of the Fine Arts MAP before I have had a chance to implement the test and receive data about my students’ performance. I would also be dismayed to think the state spent millions of dollars developing the assessment only to cut the program before the benefits of the investment could be realized. I understand it will cost $545,000 to implement the tests that have already been developed. I urge you to support funding for the Fine Arts MAP.
Sincerely,
(sign and print/type your name)
State Representative/Senator Sample Letter
(Teacher)
(Your address)
(Date)
The Honorable (full name)
State Capitol Building
Room (room number)
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Dear (Representative or Senator) _________________,
I am a teacher at _____________ (name of school) in your district. I am concerned that the arts are not represented in the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Fine Arts MAP has the potential to improve music and art instruction throughout the state. As a legislator concerned about education, I am sure you are aware of the many contributions the arts have made in ensuring all students receive a quality education.
In many school districts, more resources are being spent on those subjects that can show progress in student achievement. Without a statewide assessment, music and art teachers are unable to access data that shows that what we are doing works.
The arts play a vital role in meeting public demands for quality education and I know you are supportive of the arts. Although our state is facing a difficult financial situation, I would hate to think the millions of dollars spent developing the assessment were wasted. I urge you to support funding for the Fine Arts MAP.
Sincerely,
(sign and print/type your name)
State Representative/Senator Sample Letter
(Teacher)
(Your address)
(Date)
The Honorable (full name)
State Capitol Building
Room (room number)
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Dear (Representative or Senator) _________________,
I am a teacher at _____________ (name of school) in your district. I am writing to ask for your support in funding the Fine Arts portion of the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP). Missouri’s test in fine arts is the only one in the entire United States that is administered via a video. No other state has spent the time or money to develop a test such as the Fine Arts MAP. I do not want to see the effort and money not utilized after so much work has been put into it.
I would like to see the test reinstated. I have worked for several years to prepare my students for the Fine Arts MAP. I have been anxiously awaiting the return of the assessment after it was delayed in 2001.
Music and art classes in public schools benefit many students beyond the arts classroom. I am concerned that if the fine arts test is excluded from the Missouri Assessment Program, money and professional development opportunities will be offered to those teachers who are teaching subjects that are assessed and the arts will once again be left out. Please support funding for the Fine Arts MAP.
Sincerely,
(sign and print/type your name)
State Representative/Senator Sample Letter
(Parent)
(Your address)
(Date)
The Honorable (full name)
State Capitol Building
Room (room number)
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Dear (Representative or Senator) _________________,
I am a parent of a _____ grader at _____________ (name of school) in your district. I am concerned about the future of my child’s music and visual art education.
I am writing to ask for your support of the Fine Arts MAP, a part of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Missouri Assessment Program (MAP). I am concerned that school districts will not value arts education programs if the MAP does not assess them. School districts interested in earning points for accreditation allocate resources to those areas that are assessed. If the arts are not assessed, music and art classes may not be viewed as important.
I have witnessed the benefits of a sound music program through my child’s experiences with music. I support accountability from my school district and see the Fine Arts MAP as one way to judge the effectiveness of music and art programs across the state.
I understand our state is facing a tough financial situation and I appreciate the difficult task ahead of you. I would like to encourage you to support funding for the Fine Arts MAP for several reasons. The first reason is, of course, my desire to have the best possible education for my child. The second reason is that I do not want to waste the money that has already been spent in developing the test. My child’s music teacher tells me that tests for three years have been developed at considerable expense and are not being given because the money for scoring the tests isn’t available.
Please support investing in my child’s music education and the education of all of the children in Missouri. Music has made a difference in my child’s educational experiences and I want that to continue.
Sincerely,
(sign and print/type your name)